Contractor selected to build CSU’s $28M Student Center

WILBERFORCE, OH – Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) announced May 15, 2013 that Smoot Construction of Columbus has been selected to serve as construction manager at risk (CMR) for Central State University’s Student Center development. Pending the completion of final development agreements between OFCC, Central State University and Smoot Construction, Smoot will be responsible for the overall preconstruction and construction stage services of the University Center’s planned $28 million investment on the main campus in Wilberforce, Ohio.

OFCC based the selection of Smoot Construction on the “Best Value Selection” process that included CMR Pre-Proposal meetings, CMR Proposal submissions, Central State University and OFCC review and evaluation of the CMR Proposals and CMR Interviews. The “Best Value” selection process employs a weighted combination of qualifications and price. Upon completion of the process, Smoot Construction was determined to be the “Best Value” selection for the Central State University Center. Other key factors in the decision to contract with Smoot, included a strong local presence, an excellent working relationship with the building trades, experience in completing large scale, fast-track projects, and an understanding of universities customer experience, including critical components related to quality and branding,” said CSU President Dr. Cynthia Jackson-Hammond. “We are confident in Smoot Construction’s ability to execute on our vision for a new student facility that Centralians will be proud of for years to come. In addition, as one of the region’s largest certified minority owned businesses (MBE), one of the project’s priorities will be to ensure equal opportunity for other local MBEs and women owned business enterprises. This landmark project, with a planned total budget of $28 million, will play an important role in stimulating the area economy with job creation and new tax revenues.”

For over 60 years, Smoot Construction has provided expertise in general contracting and construction management in an extensive range of facility and building types in Ohio and beyond. Other Central Ohio projects include the Hollywood Casino, Columbus, the Ohio State University to include the James Cancer Hospital and the most recently completed Ohio Union, the Mount Carmel Medical Center, Columbus State Community College, the Ohio Statehouse and Annex and the Columbus International Airport Traffic Control Tower

Groundbreaking is expected to take place this fall 2013, with an anticipated official opening of the new University Student Center in the fall of 2015. , “We are charting new territory for CSU and I am confident the new University Center will help us achieve our academic mission and our 21st century vision of enrolling, retaining, and graduating Ohio’s citizens for generations to come,” said Dr. Jackson-Hammond.

About Central State University:

Founded in 1887, Central State University academically prepares students with diverse backgrounds and educational needs for leadership and service in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world. The University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.